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' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. F- IVIARTEL.v

RAILWAY GAR.

' I Patented July. 5,1881.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Model) F. MARTEL.

RAILWAY OAR.

Patented July =5 r IIIIIIAIIII'III N. ruins. Phmpmn n m, wmamm In;

UNITED STATES 5 PATENT OFFICE.

ADELARD F. MARTEL, OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC), CANADA, ASSIGNOR F ONE-FOURTH TO CHARLES AUGUSTE MARTEL, OF sAME rLAoE.

RAI LWAY-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming" part Of Letters Patent No. 243,932, dated: July 5, 1881,

Application filed May-20, 1881. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern Be it'known that l, ADELARD F. MARTEL, railway-conductor, of Montreal, in the county of Hochelaga, Province of Quebec, Canada,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Oars, &c.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it apro pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to railway-cars and other conveyances provided with berths capa- I 5 ble of being folded out of the way or brought into position for use at will; and the improvements consist in berths suspended from above by jointed end boards or sections, which serve also as partitions to separate the different berth-sections;inawindlass andbands,chains, or cords, connected therewith and attached to the lower berth, for raising and folding the berths and partitions in looking devices for securing the berths in their elevated or depressed positions; in seats hinged to their bases and adapted to fold down and allow the lower berth to rest upon said bases; in forming the seat-frame with curved slots, in which the end frames of the seat and back proper 0 may be moved to vary their inclination, and

, providing the same with looking devices for holding the seat at any adjustment; in a table I jointed in a peculiar manner and adapted to fold into the side wall of the car or apartment and form a flush, even surface therewith, and in various other details hereinafter set forth. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a face elevation of two berth-sec.- tions, showing the berths elevated and out of 4.0 sight in one, and lowered for use in the other, the upper part'of the latter section being partly broken away to show the elevating mechanism; Fig. 2, a face view of one of the partitions or jointed supports, showing the elevat 5 lug-bands; Fig. 3, aplan view of the fastening devices by which the berth is locked in its difierent positions; Fig. 4, a plan view of the seat-frame with the back and seat proper removed to show the devices by which the frame is locked to the base, and the seat and back held at the desired inclination; Fig. 5, a vertical transverse section through the seat and base; Figs. 6 and 7, vertical sections through the folding table in its folded and extended positions.

The object of this invention is to provide means whereby the car or other conveyance may be made available for ordinary day use, presenting substantially the appearance of an ordinary passenger car or conveyance, or converted in a very short space of time into a sleeping car or conveyance.

Hitherto it has usually been the practice to hinge the upper berth to the side of the car, and to bridge the space between the seats in such manner that the'seats and intermediate bars or connecting-pieces formed the support for the lower berth, the partitions being separate and removable.

1n carrying out my invention all detachable parts are carefully avoided, and the displacementor accidental interchanging of such parts is carefully prevented. The berths of each section are arranged to be elevated into the roof or ceiling by means of a Windlass, and the partitions are jointed, so as to fold inward between the berths.

The construction will be more readily understood by referring to the drawings, in which- A represents a car or other conveyance, or an apartment of any kind; and B B, respectively, lower and upper berths, suspended and connected by folding partitions or end boards,

0. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the end boards or partitions are formed of sections hinged together midway between the berths and at the ends of the berth-frames, and are hung or j ointed from the roof or ceiling of the apartment in such manner that the weight of the upper berth is sustained by said partitions, while the 0 lower berth may be similarly sustained or carried by a supporting-base, as desired.

In practice I prefer to support the lower berth upon a fixed base, and to lock or fasten it thereto in order that it may be firm and 5 steady, and in order, also, that in the event of an accident, causing the overturning of the car, the berths may not close up. The base may, however, be omitted, and the berths connected with the floor of the car or conveyance 10o in any convenient and secure manner. The upper-berth frame is provided with hooks to engage in eyes and steady the frame when lowered.

In order that the partitions may fold inward readily and with certainty as the berths are elevated, thejoints mid way between the berths are thrown slightly inward and out of line with those at the ends of the berth-frames, and a stop, a, is provided at said joints to prevent their passing beyond such point; or, if preferred, springs b may be applied to the intermediate joints and arranged to start the sections inward at such points as the elevation of the berths commences. The latter plan is advantageous in that it permits the partitions to hang straight, thus giving greater room be tween the partitions, and affording a more perfect support for the berths, while at the same time relieving the joints from excessive strain.

The berths are raised and lowered by means of a windlass, D, located .as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, one at the top of each berth-section, and extending to the front thereof, to receive a crank or handle, E, by which the windlass or winding-shaft may be turned.

From the windlass or shaft D a series of straps, chains, or equivalent flexible bands, 0, extend to opposite ends of the lower-berth frame, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it being preferred to attach a band to each of the four corners of said frame. Steel or other metallic ribbons or hands are preferred because of their strength and the small space they occupy.

The windlass or shaft D is preferably located midway between the ends of the berthsections, and the bands 0 are carried from said shaft in a horizontal direction to the ends of said sections, and over guiding and supporting pulleys d, mounted on shafts e in the top of the car. Thus arranged, it will be seen that the berths will be caused to rise or fall simultaneously and equally at the four corners as the windlass or shaft is turned in one or the other direction.

In case it be desired to elevate the forward side of the berth to a higher level than the rear side, the pulleys at the forward end of the shaft 0 may be made of slightly larger diameter than those at the rear, the difference being proportioned to the relative elevation of the two sides and the entire extent of movement of the berths. To prevent the windlass or shaft D from turning accidentally and allowing the berth to descend at an improper or undesired time, a notched wheel or disk, f, is secured thereon, and a sliding bolt, 9, is arranged in position to enter the notches, as shown in Fig.1. The berths are further locked in their elevated position by means of sliding bolts or lockiu g-barsF, which may be mounted and arranged to move longitudinally in the lower-berth frame, and to project beyond the ends of the same, and engage with notches or with lugs in the upper framing of the car or apartment. For the purpose of retractin g these bolts I provide two levers, G, crossing the same at the middle of the berth-bottom, and connecting each with a bolt at the front and at the back, moving in opposite directions, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Springs h are connected with the levers or with the bolt to urge the latter outward, and the ends are beveled on the upper side to cause them to ride readily past the lugs or into the recesses with which they engage. A stop may be placed between the levers to limit their movement and to insure the operation of each alike, the two being conveniently grasped in one hand and simply pressed together.

To prevent the possibility of the levers bein g jarred or accidentally moved toward each other, a door or folding section, H, is attached to the front of the berth-case and provided with a block,i, which enters between the handles of the levers when the door or section is folded down, and prevents any movement thereof.

The locking-bolts F are also formed with side projections, j, arranged to move across, or partially across, openings k, made through the bottom of the lower berth for the entrance of notched lugs or studs l, attached to the base upon which the lower berth is supported, or connected with the floor in any suitable manner. In the drawings the lugsl are represented as formed upon the supporting-bases I of the seats J, which latter are hinged upon the bases andadapted to fold down between the same, as shown in Fig. 1, to permit the berths to descend to the proper distance and find a firm support. While this arrangement is preferred, it is apparent that'thelugs Z may be attached directly to the floor or formed or secured upon posts attached thereto either rigidly or by joints, the posts in the latter case being arranged to fold down in opposite directions, so that when the berth is locked thereto the legs shall brace it in opposite directions and prevent any movement thereof.

The seats, when in their upright position,

are locked to their base-frames by sliding bolts K, provided with hand-levers L, and arranged to engage the same lugs 70, which serve to re-' ceive the locking-bolts of the lower berth, these levers and bolts being arranged in the same manner as those of the berth, and the handles of thelevers being at the forward side of the seat in convenient position for operation. Besides being hinged to the base-frames, the seats are provided with double frames, the end boards or plates of the outer frame, J, being provided with grooves m, curved on the arc of a circle to receive ribs n, of corresponding form, on the end plates or boards of the inner frame, M, this arrangement permitting the inner frame, which carries the back and seat proper, to be adjusted at any desired an= gle or inclination.

In order to retain the seat at the desired adjustment, the end plates (one or both) of the inner frame have a flange or rib, 0, formed on their rear edges and notched at intervals to receive the ends of locking-bolts N, provided with hand-levers O, and operatingin the same manner as the other locking-bolts already described. By pressing the hand-levers together the bolts may be retracted and the seat and back, thus made free, may be adjusted as desired and again locked fast. This adjustment of the seat is necessary where high backs are employed, in order to permit the seat to be.

turned over off its base and fold down sufficicntly close to the floor to allow the proper descent of the berth.

In cars of this class and other conveyances it is desirable to have a table which may be readily brought to place and fixed in position between the seats, orremoved when notwanted. Heretofore tables have been provided for the purpose having hooks at the inner end to engage in recessed blocks or keepers in the side wall of the car, and supported by a leg at the outer end. This arrangement necessitates a place for storing the tables, and requires the setting up and removal of the table each time. Instead of such detachable and removable tables, I employ a leaf, P, permanently hinged at its inner end to the wall of the car,-jointed midway between its ends, and adapted to fold or turn upward at its outer end, and supported by a jointed brace, Q, the opposite ends of which are attached, respectively, to the side of the car and the under side of thetable. The joint 1) of the supporting-brace Q is at the lower side thereof, and consequently permits the brace to fold upward at the middle, allowing its outer end to fall, and with it the table, the outer section of which is folded upward against the inner section, as above mentioned.

In order that the appearance of the car may not be injured or space lost by the projection of the folded table into the car, a recess is formed in the wall thereof, into which the table folds, as shown in Fig. 6, thus presenting a flush cven surface, as shown. A sliding bolt, 1', a turn-button, or any equivalent device may be arranged to move across the joint 19 to prevent accidental folding of the brace Q.

It is apparent that the invention above described is applicable to boats and vessels, and to houses and apartments, wherever economy of space is desired.

The berths may be made up before being elevated or after being lowered, as preferred.

The partitions may be made of metal, wood, or other suitable material, or of board composed of layers of veneers having the grain crossed, metal strips extending in such case from joint to joint to give proper strength.

I am aware that berths have heretofore been suspended from above and provided with a windlass for elevating andlowering the same, and I lay no broad claim thereto.

I am further aware that a suspended berth has been locked to the back of a seat or seats below it; but I am not aware that such a berth has been arranged to descend to and rest upon the base of the seat or seats, and thereby secure both a firm support and ample space above it for another berth.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is' 1. In combination with a suspended berth, a partition jointed to the berth and having a fixed overhead joint or point of attachment, and adapted to fold inward over the berth as the latter rises.

2. In a car or other apartment, a jointed folding partition having its joints thrown out of line with each other, substantially as described.

In a car or other apartment, a berth pro vided with folding end boards and sustained by bands at its several corners, and a windlass adapted to wind up said bands, and thereby elevate the berth, whereby the cramping or binding of the jointed end boards is prevented.

4. In combination with two or more berths suspended from above, jointed end boards or partitions adapted and arranged to sustain the weight of the berths when lowered, and to fold inward above and between the respective berths when elevated.

5. In combination with a berth adapted to be raised or lowered, a sustaining end board or partition jointed to the berth-frame and to an overhead support, and adapted to fold inward over the berth at an intermediate point, as explained.

6. In a car or other apartment, a folding partition provided at its joints with means, sub.- stantially such as described, for throwing said joints out of line.

7. Inacaror otherapartment, a berth adapted to be raised or lowered, provided with locking-bolts adapted to engage with fixed portions of the car or apartment and secure it firmly in both its elevated and its depressed positions.

8. In a car or other apartment, the combination of a berth provided with folding end boards or partitions having their upper ends hinged at fixed points, flexible suspending ICC;

bands therefor, and means, substantially such as shown, for winding upthe bands.

9. In combination with a car or apartment having seats, a suspended berth adapted and arranged to descend'to and rest upon the base or frame of said seats, substantially as set forth.

10. In combination with a fixed base pro;- vided with notched lugs, a suspended berth perforated to receive said lugs, and provided with locking-bolts to engage therewith.

11. In a car-seat, the combination of a frame having arc-shaped ribs, and provided with aseries of locking-notches, and a second frame having grooves of corresponding form to receive said ribs, and provided with lookingbolts to engage in said notches, whereby the seat may be adjusted and held at any desired inclination.

12. In a sleeping-car or other apartment, the combination of a seat havingits upper portion hinged to its base, and adapted to fold down, as described, whereby the base is adapted to receive and support a berth, and a berth adapted to be lowered from above and to rest upon said base.

13. The herein-described seat, consisting of the base provided with lugs on its upper face, and the upper frame hinged to said base and provided with locking-bolts to engage with the lugs, whereby the seat may be turned down to permit a berth to be supported and locked upon the base, or turned up and held in position for use.

14; In a car or like apartment, a table and a brace hinged thereto, and adapted to support the same, both adapted to fold within the .wall of the apartment and to form a flush surface therewith.

15. In a car or like apartment havinga recessed wall, a table consisting of the jointed leaf hinged at its inner edge to the wall of the car, and the brace jointed and adapted to fold upward and inward, as shown, whereby the table and its brace may be folded into the wall and made flush therewith.

16. In combination with the folding table, a brace for supporting the same, jointed at its middle, and a slide adapted to cross said joint and prevent its folding.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ADELARD F. MARTEL.

Witnesses:

A. TAGHE, H. GARON. 

